Dan Quisenberry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Quisenberry did not overpower hitters with a fastball; instead, he relied on pinpoint control, guile, and deception. He developed his signature submarine-style delivery on his own in the minor leagues, before Jim Frey became manager. His primary pitch was a sinking fastball that forced ground balls, complemented by a curveball, an occasional knuckleball, and a changeup developed in 1984. Although he averaged only 3.3 strikeouts per nine innings, he seldom walked batters or threw wild pitches. In 1983, his 45 saves set a single-season MLB record, later tied by Bruce Sutter in 1984 and broken by Dave Righetti in 1986. Quisenberry became the first pitcher in history to save more than 40 games in a season twice. From 1982 to 1985, he won the Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award each year (the award began in 1982).

In Their Own Story

On July 8, 1979, at age 26, Quisenberry made his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox, pitching 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed and no walks. During the winter of 1978, he attended Fresno Pacific University to earn a teaching degree while working at a sporting goods store by day and a mortuary by night. His dominance peaked in the early 1980s, leading the American League in saves every season except the strike-shortened 1981 campaign. In 1983, he set the record with 45 saves, a mark that stood until 1986. The Royals signed him to a lifetime contract similar to George Brett's, but a rocky start in 1988 relegated him to middle relief before his release just before the All-Star break. Ten days later, the St. Louis Cardinals, managed by ex-Royals manager Whitey Herzog, signed him as a free agent.

Reader's Guide

Quisenberry's career with the Royals began after he was recruited from Orange Coast College and University of La Verne, where he met his future wife, Janie Howard. He made his debut in 1979 and quickly became the American League's dominant closer by 1980. His success included winning the World Series in 1985 as the Game 6 winner, despite Don Denkinger's blown call at first base being a notorious moment of that series. In 1983, he set an MLB single-season record with 45 saves. He remained a top-five Cy Young vote-getter throughout his peak years. After leaving Kansas City, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and finally the San Francisco Giants in 1990. His career ended abruptly that year when he tore his rotator cuff five appearances into the season. Quisenberry retired with 244 saves, then fifth-highest in history.

Did You Know?

• Quisenberry worked at a mortuary at night and a sporting goods store during the day before his career took off.
• He met his future wife, Janie Howard, while attending a square dancing class at the University of La Verne.
• His 45 saves in 1983 set a single-season MLB record that was tied by Bruce Sutter in 1984 and broken by Dave Righetti in 1986.
• Quisenberry published a book of poetry titled 'On Days Like This' in 1997, shortly before his death.
• He is the only pitcher to lead the American League in saves five times (1980, 1982–85).